Anglo File

This week, Denver debuts the first festival ever held in this country devoted to British movies -- or so say the organizers of the British Film Festival. "Apparently, there has never been a British film festival in the whole of the United States, which is quite amazing to me," says Diane Beckoff, a native of England. "I've always loved British films, so I figured, why not organize one?" Running today through Sunday at the Starz FilmCenter, inside the Tivoli Student Center at 900 Auraria Parkway, the festival features fifteen films divided into three categories: older British movies presented by special guests; "new-to-you" films that have been shown elsewhere but never in the States; and recent British films. "There are so many classics that people love to see again and again, it was hard to narrow it down," says Beckoff. "And the newer films are just great. In one, the accents are so strong, they had to add subtitles."

The festival kicks off late this afternoon with a 5:45 screening of The Queen's Garden and Sweet Sixteen, followed by a gala party. Ticket prices range from $6 for individual screenings to $21 for the opening-night package; the complete schedule is available at the Tattered Cover in Cherry Creek, at the Tivoli or by calling 303-388-8152. -- Julie Dunn

Toasting Tom AuerSAT 5/3

Denver was odd turf for a national -- no, international -- literary publication. The name was odder still: Bloomsbury Review, which spoke much more of that London book set than of the University of Denver-area bookstore that inspired the review's founding more than two decades ago. But bloom the Review did, under the careful, tireless cultivation of Tom Auer. The bi-monthly publication reached a circulation of 50,000 and gained Auer fans around the world -- all of whom mourn the fifty-year-old publisher's passing last month. A potluck celebration of Auer's life, and all that he accomplished, will be held today; for details, call 303-455-3123. All lovers of life -- and literature -- are welcome. -- Patricia Calhoun

A Hot TimeFRI 5/2

Sex is natural, sex is good...sex is art?Sex Is Art, an Other Side Arts multimedia group exhibit, comes down today -- but only after a blowout bash celebrating all things erotic. "This show is about the fun side of sex," says Ben Kronberg, its co-curator.